Governor’s aide accused of leading gunmen as thugs shot six people over land dispute
Residents of Egbedi community in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State are living in palpable fear after gunmen allegedly led by an aide of Governor Ademola Adeleke shot six persons over land tussle.
They also inflicted injuries on a chief and son of the king
Disturbed by the development, Adeleke ordered immediate probe into the incident.
A viral video on Saturday showed seven men armed with pump action threatening the community.
The residents were screaming in Yoruba language ‘SSA ti e re, yin’—meaning you this SSA, shoot us.
The gun-wielding men were conveyed in a Sienna gold colour vehicle with inscription ‘Security Patrol (Local Matters), Osun State’.
Baale Shasha of Egbedi, Chief Yisa Akolapo, explained: “Crisis started on Wednesday, as Senior Special Assistant to Adeleke on Internal Security, Kazeem Oriade who is from Ede led others to Egbedi.
“When Ajiroba of Egbedi, Chief Yisa Abayomi and the prince, Nurudeen Abioye were sent by king approached them, they were hacked in their heads, the scene made the residents to flee. Police rescued them and took them to hospital.”
He added “On Thursday, six others were again shot when the gunmen invaded the community, the leader, Kazeem Oriade who is SSA to Adeleke was shouting that he was carrying out the action on Governor’s authority.”
He noted: “All this issue is connected to land dispute, they are not from our community, they are selling our land, which we resisted, we took them to court. We are pleading with the government, we have been reporting them at the police station because we don’t want to resort to self-help.”
Adeleke through his spokesperson, Olawake Rasheed, in a statement assured Edgbedi community of adequate security.
He said: “The attention of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke has been drawn to a viral video and subsequent reported attacks on the town of Egbedi.
“The Commissioner for Local Government affairs and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters have been directed to investigate the incident and ensure restoration of peace in the area as urgently as possible.”
“We should avoid politicizing every incident. I have no gun wielding appointee. I didn’t send anybody to foment communal crisis. We will get to the root of the matter.” (The Nation)
